Motion Activated Non-Lethal Animal Trap

Abstract

Disclosed is a non-lethal animal trap that comprises a housing, a mechanically actuated trap door, a motion sensor, and a microprocessor controlled tripping mechanism. The trap includes a pathway having a first and second entrance and a first and second trap door. The pathway includes animal bait therein, whereabove a motion sensor detects objects and motion within the pathway such that the entrances to the pathway are closed by the trap doors. The motion sensor sends signals to the microprocessor, which in turn activates an electrical latch mechanism that releases the trap door mechanism from its set position to its closed position. Once closed, each trap door includes a brace that prevents the animal from forcibly opening the door. The animal is then trapped for later disposal or relocation. A plurality of indicator lights provides notification of the device operational state, including device standby, triggered, and trapped animal notification.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 585,023 filed on Jan. 10, 2012, entitled “Motion Sensor Activated Animal Trap.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to animal traps and cages having a sensor to activate the trap when the animal is located therein. More specifically, the present invention relates to a motion sensing animal trap that activates in the presence of an animal within the cage and does not kill the animal.[0004]Animal traps are well known devices in the art that include different types of cages, trap mechanisms, and means for either capturing or exterminating animals that engage the device. These devices can be categorized as being lethal or non-lethal devices, where the lethal traps utilize a means to kill...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a new type of animal trap that is non-lethal and uses a motion sensor to detect and trap animals. It is designed to be convenient for the user while ensuring that the animal is properly and timely operated when it interrogates the trap. It does not rely on the animal interacting with a bait pan, but rather uses a bait pan to lure the animal within a specific zone being monitored by the motion sensor to trigger the trap. The device is also designed to have a low frequency of non-triggering when an animal is within its limits, utilizing the motion sensor to monitor movement within the housing and trigger the trap doors. It can have different technologies for detecting motion, object presence, or impingement into a monitored area. It includes an electromechanical trigger, an electrical power source, and can be scaled to trap smaller or larger animals, as desired by the end user.

Problems solved by technology

The Celestine device utilizes a trap door, which may or may not function properly with larger rodents.

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